Originally published Monday, May 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Auto Racing | Foyt makes Indy 500 field before crashing

A.J. Foyt IV's car caught fire and crashed hard against a wall during practice for this weekend's Indianapolis 500. He had a slight burn...

By The Associated Press

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INDIANAPOLIS — A.J. Foyt IV's car caught fire and crashed hard against a wall during practice for this weekend's Indianapolis 500. He had a slight burn to the back of his neck and some singed hair, but was otherwise unhurt Sunday.

The grandson of four-time Indy winner A.J. Foyt Jr. qualified for the race, but during a later practice session his fuel-tank cover came off and the spraying fuel was ignited from the heat of the engine. With flames shooting from the rear of the car, he spun hard into the wall going into the third turn at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"It wasn't until I turned into the corner did I know stuff was going bad," said Foyt, 23.

"It was just a mistake. We left something off the car that was supposed to be on it, and it broke loose going into the corner, and that's what caused the flames. To feel completely out of control is the worst feeling in the world to me, and that's what happened."

Lazier gets a berth

With time running short and Buddy Lazier needing a burst of speed, the 1996 Indy winner asked old friends for help.

His crew adjusted the car, 2005 winner Dan Wheldon gave him a pep talk and Lazier took his No. 91 car back onto the track and bumped his way into the 33-car starting grid for Sunday's Indy 500.

Lazier and Marty Roth got the final two starting spots.

"They made some quick calculations and said, 'Well, if we're going to make it, this is what we have to do,' " Lazier said after posting a four-lap average of 219.015 mph. "They ripped off and counterbalanced it in five minutes. It was a hairy run, no doubt."

Lazier's run highlighted a frantic finish to the fourth and final day of qualifying, which ended with rookie Mario Dominguez crashing. Dominguez wasn't injured.

Note

• Melanie Troxel (Funny Car), Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock) won their categories at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn.

Troxel, a five-time winner in Top Fuel in her career, became the first woman to win in both nitro classes, according to NHRA officials.

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